Elvira Kadyrova Turkmen gas, once on the European market, is able to wipe out the position of Russian Gazprom and a deprive Iran of potential market. This point of view was expressed in an interview with the news agency “Vestnik Kavkaza” by Andrey Kazantsev, Doctor of Political Sciences, chief researcher of the Analytical Center of […]
Iran preparing to launch 27 petrochemical projects with total worth of USD 17 billion early next year
Iran is planning to inaugurate 27 petrochemical projects by 1 March 2021 with total value of USD 17 billion. This was reported by the specialized news service of Iran, Shana, on 6 August 2020, quoting the Iranian minister of petroleum, Bijan Zangeneh. Zangeneh, who was addressing the launch ceremony of 3 petrochemical projects, said that […]
Role of China in the changing world
Tariq Saeedi The world was changing anyway; the Covid-19 and the policies of Trump administration have just accelerated the process. The Covid-19 has eaten the entrails of economies of most of the countries. Many of those countries will not be able to restart their economies on their own. China with its BRI (Belt and Road […]
Traffic on the Kazakhstan-Iran-Turkmenistan railway slightly declined, but still unaffected by coronavirus restrictions
Elvira Kadyrova In a view of coronavirus pandemic and forced restrictions taken in the transport sector by countries, cargo traffic along one of the most important transport routes in Central Asia namely the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway has slightly decreased. Thus, the performance data for Q1 2020 says near 273 thousand tons of various cargoes were transported […]
Turkmenistan provides humanitarian aid to brotherly Iran
Being committed to native traditions of good-neighborliness and high humane values, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed an Order, according to which humanitarian aid consisting of essential goods, including the medical tools were donated to the Islamic Republic of Iran due to the increase of cases of acute respiratory diseases evoked by the coronavirus on […]
Туркменистан оказывает гуманитарную помощь братскому Ирану
Будучи приверженным исконным традициям добрососедства и высоким гуманным ценностям, Президент Туркменистана Гурбангулы Бердымухамедов подписал распоряжение, в соответствии с которым, Исламской Республике Иран была передана гуманитарная помощь, состоящая из необходимых принадлежностей, включая медицинские, в связи с увеличением случаев острых респираторных заболеваний, вызванных новой коронавирусной инфекцией на территории братской страны. /// MFA Turkmenistan, 19 March 2020
American policies creating new stress points – Neutrality is the only viable option Central Asia
Tariq Saeedi Central Asia is simultaneously blessed and cursed by its geography. Except for the soviet period, Central Asia has traditionally seen endless streams of people and cargo moving in all directions. The transit potential has been a dependable source of its prosperity. The region is at the heart of the Eurasian landmass. — The […]
New American sanctions – Punishment for people of Iran?
Tariq Saeedi Notwithstanding the showcase rhetoric, the new American sanctions announced on 10 January 2020 are clearly meant to punish the people of Iran for their failure to overthrow the regime. Here is the summary of the press release issued by the US Department of Treasury on 10 January 2020 The new sanctions apply to: […]
Iran-US spat – resizing of situation and a word of caution for Central Asia
Tariq Saeedi Iran fired some missiles at two US bases in Iraq on Tuesday and declared it as ‘proportionate response’ to the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani. Trump addressed the nation on Wednesday and hinted at increasing the pressure on Iran without going for further military action. Both sides desire de-escalation although the tussle through […]
Ирано-американский раздор – перемасштабирование ситуации и предупреждение для Центральной Азии
Тарик Саиди Иран выпустил несколько ракет по двум американским базам в Ираке во вторник и объявил это “пропорциональным ответом” на убийство генерала Кассема Солеймани. Трамп обратился к нации в среду и намекнул на усиление давления на Иран без дальнейших военных действий. Обе стороны стремятся к деэскалации, хотя борьба с помощью побочных средств, безусловно, будет продолжаться. […]
Iran situation – some words for Iran, some for the west, and a few for Central Asia – Part 1
Tariq Saeedi The gasoline prices in Iran were jacked up by 50% recently. This led to riots that caused damage to the public and private property, and a number of casualties occurred when the authorities dealt with the rioters with a heavy hand. The riots have subsided though they may smolder for a while. President […]
First Caspian Economic Forum – Part 3
At the inaugural session of the First Caspian Economic Forum at Awaza on 12 August 2019, the president of Turkmenistan, the prime ministers of Russia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan, and the first vice president of Iran answered some questions from the moderator. We are presenting here the slightly summarized and paraphrased translation of their answer: Turkmenistan […]
Trump Unveils “Warsaw Plan”
General Mirza Aslam Beg, Former COAS Pakistan friendscolumn@hotmail.com President Trump is building-up his strategic naval forces, in the Gulf Region, NOT to fight the ‘naval superiority battle’ of the deep seas, but to apply “Shock and Awe” therapy on the Iranians, suffering from decades of “Monetary Terrorism” and “Social Engineering” – an act of war, imposed […]
Иран – санкции, санкциями, а жизнь продолжается…
nCa Анализ – Эльвира Кадырова Пока в Белом Доме оценивают эффективность политики максимального давления на Тегеран и даже готовят в Варшаве саммит по Ближнему Востоку в антииранском духе, экономическая жизнедеятельность в Исламской Республике, что называется, продолжается весьма умеренными темпами. По крайней мере, согласно сообщениям иранским СМИ – все выглядит не так плохо, как кажется на […]
Iran – Life goes on amid US sanctions
nCa Analysis by Elvira Kadyrova While the White House assesses the effectiveness of the maximum pressure plan on Tehran and even prepares a summit on the Middle East in the anti-Iranian vein in Warsaw, Iran’s economic activity proceeds at quite moderate pace. At least, Iranian news media in their reports say the situation is not […]
Lapis Lazuli Corridor – Part 7
The members of the Lapis Lazuli Corridor, except Georgia, are also the members of the ECO (Economic Cooperation Organization). Therefore, ECO has an important role to play in the development of connectivity solutions in the region. Here is the text of the speech of Ambassador Hiseyin Avni Bicakh Deputy, the Secretary General of the Economic […]
Trump withdraws from Iran Nuclear Deal – Probable side effects for Central Asia
Tariq Saeedi President Trump announced Tuesday (8 May 2018) that he was pulling out of the Iran Nuclear Deal. This would potentially bring several consequences to the doors of Central Asia, some positive, some negative. There are four elements to this mix: 1. Rationale of Trump for ditching the Iran deal; 2. Response of US […]
Президент Ирана Рухани с визитом в Туркменистане
Новости и комментарий nCa Ашхабад, 28 марта 2018 (nCa) — 27-28 марта 2018 года Президент Ирана Хасан Рухани находится с визитом в Туркменистане. В первый день визита состоялись переговоры между двумя президентами. Подписано 12 двусторонних документов. Совместное заявление было опубликовано, но не было подписано президентами. Сегодня (28 марта 2018 года) Президент Ирана отправится в Марыйский […]
Rouhani visits Turkmenistan
nCa News and Commentary Ashgabat, 28 March 2018 (nCa) — President Hassan Rouhani of Iran is visiting Turkmenistan, 27-28 March 2018. On the first day of his visit the summit talks were held between the two presidents and 12 bilateral documents were signed. A joint statement was issued though it was not signed by […]
2018 starts with new formats of pressure on Central Asia
Tariq Saeedi 3 January 2018 (nCa) – It is dismal yet knowable: 2018 has started with a mix of usual and fresh pressures on Central Asia. First tweets of 2018 President Trump, between his New Year festivities at Mar-a-Lago and a morning round of golf, took to Twitter: “Iran is failing at every level despite […]
Turkmenistan to go to International Court of Arbitration for gas-debt dispute with Iran
nCa News and Commentary Ashgabat, 5 December 2017 (nCa) — Turkmenistan has decided to take its gas-debt settlement dispute with Iran to the International Court of Arbitration. The Turkmen TV reported on Monday that the latest round of talks between Turkmenistan and Iran on the clearance of huge outstanding debts had failed to reach any […]
3D visualization of Trump speech . . . sort of
Tariq Saeedi 21 September 2017 (nCa) — The Donald ‘MAGA’ Trump, the president of the United States addressed the United Nations on 19 September 2017. His speech has all the ingredients The Donald is made of: bullying, hatred, bigotry, myopic nationalism, and lavish charms for his voter base. It is important to create a kind […]
National Gas Company of Iran: A textbook example of how to damage own interests
nCa Commentary Ashgabat, 26 January 2017 (nCa) — In search of a textbook example of how to damage own interests, we don’t have to go far. NIGC, the national Iranian gas company, is doing just that in a big way. After refusing to talk about the settlement of nearly USD 2 billion debts with Turkmenistan, […]
Turkmenistan-Iran Gas Dispute – What does Iran actually want?
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 5 January 2017 (nCa) — It is perplexing – Hyperbole is the default mode of the Iranian side whereas Turkmenistan is explaining the situation in a calm and measured manner. What does Iran actually want? On 3 January 2017, NIGC (National Iranian Gas Company) issued a statement, adding several layers of untruth […]
Iranian penchant for drama, exaggeration complicates situation in gas deal – Turkmenistan issues clarification
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 3 January 2017 (nCa) — The matter was actually quite simple: You pay for what you use, you pay what you agreed to pay, and you pay when you are supposed to pay. We are talking of the Turkmen natural gas supplies to Iran, a purely economic matter that has acquired a […]
Russia sets ball rolling at international affairs ground – Part One
Resident of Central Asia 30 December 2016 (nCa) — Despite the western attempts to undermine the Russian economy by multiple layers of sanctions, Russia seems to have staged full-scale revival of its role as a counterweight to US-Europe tandem at the international political arena. Of course, it is too early to predict the future course […]
Countdown to WWIII?
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 12 October 2015 (nCa) — Syria, in the centre of the brutal geopolitical jostling, could be the trigger point for WWII. With each passing day, new elements are adding to uncertainty, which may ultimately push everyone to the point of no return. Anton Chekhov, the celebrated Russian playwright and author: “If you […]
Putin’s Surprise – Caspian to Syria
nCa Report Ashgabat, 8 October 2015 (nCa) — On 10 September 2014, while chairing a meeting of the Military-Industrial Commission, President Putin of Russia hinted at “unpleasant surprises for our Western partners.” He added that “the main thing is to avoid hysterics afterwards.” The milieu of these remarks was rather broad. — President Obama said […]
Сюрприз от Путина – Из Каспия в Сирию
Доклад nCa Ашхабад, 8 октября 2015 (nCa) — 10 сентября 2014 года в ходе заседания Военно-промышленной комиссии Президент России Путин намекнул на «неприятный сюрприз для наших западных партнеров». Он добавил, что «главное впоследствии избежать истерики». Среда для этих замечаний довольна широкая. — Президент Обама заявил в ходе 69-й сессии Генеральной Ассамблеи ООН в прошлом году, […]
Turkmenistan Conducts Border Protection Exercise in Integrated Mode
nCa Report Ashgabat, 15 December 2014 (nCa) — Turkmenistan conducted Sunday (14 Dec) a major border protection exercise, demonstrating its ability to respond swiftly and in an integrated manner to border violations. The Exercise Here is the scenario of the exercise: A border patrol spots a group of armed intruders crossing the state borders and […]
Саммит прикаспийских государств в Астрахани – Роль и место Туркменистана
Доклад nCa Ашхабад, 28 сентября 2014 (nCa) — Четвертый саммит глав прикаспийских государств пройдет в Астрахани, в каспийском портовом городе России, 29 сентября 2014 года. В ходе саммита, как ожидается, прикаспийские страны подпишут три основных соглашения. Туркменистан сыграл ключевую роль в завершении разработки всех трех документов: Соглашение по сохранению и устойчивому использованию водных и биологических […]
Саммит глав прикаспийских государств в Астрахани – Итоги
Доклад nCa Ашхабад, 30 сентября 2014 (nCa) — Четвертый саммит глав прикаспийских государств, состоявшийся 29 сентября в Астрахани, превзошел все ожидания. Президенты всех прибрежных стран – России, Казахстана, Туркменистана, Ирана и Азербайджана, назвали работу саммита значительным успехом; президенты России и Казахстана обозначили саммит важнейшим «прорывом». Помимо сближения позиций по правовому статусу Каспийского моря, прибрежные страны […]
Caspian Summit at Astrakhan – The Outcome
nCa Report Ashgabat, 30 September 2014 (nCa) — The fourth summit of the heads of Caspian states, held in Astrakhan city of Russia on 29 September 2014, delivered fairly beyond expectations. The presidents of the littoral states – Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Azerbaijan – described it as huge success; the presidents of Russia and […]
Caspian Summit at Astrakhan – The Expectations
nCa Report Ashgabat, 29 September 2014 (nCa) — The foreign ministers of the Caspian littoral states met in Astrakhan on Sunday (28 Sep) to fine-tune their positions ahead of the fourth heads-of-state summit that is taking place today. Three important agreements will certainly be signed today: 1. Agreement on conservation and sustainable use of water […]
Caspian Summit at Astrakhan – Role and Position of Turkmenistan
nCa Report Ashgabat, 28 September 2014 (nCa) — The fourth summit of the heads of Caspian states will take place in Astrakhan, the Caspian port city of Russia, on 29 September 2014. The Caspian countries are expected to sign three important agreements during the summit. Turkmenistan has played a key role in finalizing the text […]
Избранный Президент Роухани: Сфабрикованный Сюрприз?
Тарик Саиди Ашхабад, 16 июня 2013 (nCa) — Основываясь на косвенных доказательствах того, можно высказать определенное предположение о том, что Хасан Роухани является кандидатурой иранского духовенства. По всей вероятности, танцующие толпы на улицах Тегерана сочетаются синхронно с танцами в сердцах духовенства. Роухани не является человеком со стороны. Он – один из руководителей иранской революции. Наше […]
President-elect Rouhani: A manufactured surprise?
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 16 June 2013 (nCa) — A case, albeit weak, can be built around the circumstantial evidence that Hassan Rouhani was the candidate of choice of the Iranian clerical establishment. In all likelihood, the dancing crowds on the streets of Tehran could possibly be in synch with the dancing hearts of the clerical […]
Bucking the trend and trending the buck
nCa Commentary Ashgabat, 12 June 2013 (nCa) — Two separate news stories, entirely unrelated to each other, are of immediate importance for Central Asia. Reuters reports that India has offered incentives to its businessmen for exports to Iran. The trade ministry of India hopes that the incentives will help double the country’s exports to Iran, […]
Поддерживая тенденцию
Комментарий nCa Ашхабад, 12 июня 2013 (nCa) — Две отдельные новости, совершенно не связанные друг с другом, имеют непосредственное значение для Центральной Азии. Reuters сообщает, что Индия предлагает меры стимулирования по расширению экспорта в Иран. Министерство торговли Индии надеется, что это поможет удвоить объем экспорта страны в Иран, который уже оценивается в текущем году в […]
Polimeks gold case and things much larger
This article was recently published in our paid-subscription publication. It is now being made available for the wider audience. Ed. Polimeks gold case and things much larger Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 26 Mar—The Turkish media reported last month that on 22 February a consignment of gold, destined to be carried by a Turkmenistan Airlines aircraft to […]
Золотой разбирательство с компанией «Полимекс» и другое
This article was recently published in our paid-subscription publication. It is now being made available for the wider audience. Ed. Золотой разбирательство с компанией «Полимекс» и другое Тарик Саиди Ашгабат, 26 марта 2013 (nCa) —Турецкие СМИ сообщили о перехвате 22 февраля самолета Туркменских авиалиний, который должен был перевезти в Ашгабат крупную партию золота. Владельцем груза […]
No peace in Afghanistan until total pullout of US-NATO troops: Iran
Ashgabat, 20 April 2012 (nCa) — There can be no peace in Afghanistan until total pullout of the US and NATO forces, said Ambassador Mohsen Pakaein, the Iranian chief diplomat on Afghan affairs. In a conversation Wednesday with Pakaein, nCa asked as to what could be the most practical way to bring peace to Afghanistan. […]
Паника вокруг Ирана – Часть Вторая: Необходимое отступление
Анализ nCa Продолжение из Части Первой Ашгабат, 5 апреля 2012 (nCa) —Необходимо сделать маленькое отступление, прежде чем мы приступим к рассмотрению нефтяных санкций и их возможного воздействия на Иран, а также других способов, используемых для ослабления Ирана перед прямой конфронтацией. Существуют различные теории о вымирании динозавров. Одна из них утверждает, что, когда динозавры выросли до […]
2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit – Message from Central Asia
nCa Commentary Ashgabat, 22 Mar—The second Nuclear Summit will be held 26-27 March 2012 in Seoul. The first summit took place in April 2010 in Washington DC. The Seoul summit where leaders from 53 countries and 4 international organizations are expected to gather will collectively represent the 80% of global population and 90% of world […]
Exclusive Interview — Iranian Ambassador in Turkmenistan — Seyed Mohammad Mousa Hashemi-Golpayegani (English)
In the name of God Exclusive Interview to nCa – Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Iran in Turkmenistan, H.E. Hashemi Golpaegani nCa: How do you assess the prospects of development of relationship between Turkmenistan and Iran for the next three years (2011-2013) in key sectors – energy, trade, economy, transport and communications? Golpaegani: The historical […]
Exclusive Interview — Iranian Ambassador in Turkmenistan — Seyed Mohammad Mousa Hashemi-Golpayegani (Russian)
Во Имя Всевышнего Интервью Информационного Агентства « Центральная Азия» с Чрезвычайным и Полномочным Послом Исламской Республики Иран Е.П. г-на Хашеми Голпаегани Вопрос: Как вы оцениваете перспективы развития связей между Ираном и Туркменистаном в ближайшие три года (2011-2013) в ключевых отраслях, таких как энергетика, торговля, экономика, транспорт и связь. Ответ: Изучение исторического процесса развития связей между […]
Exclusive Interview — Iranian Ambassador in Turkmenistan — Seyed Mohammad Mousa Hashemi-Golpayegani (Farsi)
بسمه تعالي مصاحبه آژانس خبري آسياي مركزي با جناب آقاي هاشمي گلپايگاني سفير محترم جمهوري اسلامي ايران در تركمنستان سوال : ارزيابي خودتان را از چگونگي توسعه روابط بين ايران و تركمنستان طي سه سال آينده ( 2013- 2011 ) در زمينه هاي كليدي نظير : انرژي ، تجارت و اقتصاد و حمل و نقل […]
Second Gas Congress of Turkmenistan
nCa Report Avaza, 26 May 2011 (nCa) — The second Gas Congress of Turkmenistan started Wednesday at Avaza, the national tourist zone of Turkmenistan at the Caspian coast. Some key declarations were made on the first day of the 2-day event. They connect with two other developments that took place elsewhere simultaneously. The British […]